Judging a Book by It's Cover

I have met JD, he has been doing this for about 15 years.  He is currently working on getting a 501.c3.  He has been doing this out of his pocket and is struggling right now do to medical expenses of his own.  If you would like to donate food you can by phone…

Call At Your Service Pet Supplies and tell them it’s for JD. 702-982-4324 for locals, the location is: 55 S Valle Verde Ste 300, Henderson, NV 89012

Judging a Book by Its Cover 

(re-posted from Best Friends)

January 13, 2010, 8:19AM MT

By Kathy Parrent, Network Team Leader

A Worthy Cause Indeed

J.D. Dahlund understands what it’s like to be judge on looks alone. This 29-year Nevada resident and Veteran is often judged on his rough and rugged exterior, but inside is a heart of gold. It is easy to see why he relates to the societal castoffs he has taken under his protective care.

J.D.’s passion for bully breeds developed years ago and so intense was his passion he started breeding them with an eye toward improving the breed. He was working with Heaven Can Wait for veterinary needs and food donations as well as homing his rescues and he credits this group with educating him on the error of his ways. He turned all his attention from breeding to rescuing pit bulls and, in addition, has rescued all manner of critters from dogs and cats to pigs, goats, and peacocks; just to name a few. He estimates since 1998 he has rescued at least 200 dogs.

It all started innocently enough when he reached out to assist an overwhelmed community animal control. Soon people were dropping animals, mostly dogs, at the edge of his property. J.D. cobbled together kennels to house the ever-increasing number and, for many years, supported the financial burden on his own with sporadic donations of money and food.

But recently J.D. has fallen on hard times due to progressing medical conditions and is struggling to maintain his current population of 17 pit and pit mix rescues. Even given his present circumstances, J.D. is more concerned with the plight of others, putting his own needs second. J.D. is a member of the Sandy Mesquite Valley Development Association and suggested to the membership they organize a Holiday Community Dinner for the disadvantaged members of the community. The idea was heartily embraced by the organization and, with J.D. spear-heading the event, they raised $4000 which provided Christmas dinner for 200 valley neighbors who would have otherwise gone without, this year. So, as you can see, J.D.’s compassion extends beyond his four- legged friends in need.

All Fur Love Animal Society, C.A.T.S. Inc, Foreclosed Upon Pets Inc, At Your Service Pet Supply and Best Friends Animal Society have all stepped up with donations of food, medicine and blankets. Additionally, a group of local Puppies Aren’t Products protest volunteers, of their own volition, collected food donations as well as donating food themselves. Kudos one and all!

 Although this has helped out J.D. with his current needs, his long term needs are much greater.

I had an opportunity to spend some time with J.D. and his charges recently. There is no doubt how much J.D. cares about each and every one of the animals in his care, but the fact is he will be hard pressed to care for them properly in the up coming months. J.D. is facing cataract surgery in the next couple of months; no sooner will he recover from that when he must undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Needless to say, he will be laid up and unable to perform the tasks necessary to care of the pups. Naturally, his greatest desire is to find forever homes for his wards. Efforts are under way to get them additional exposure, but placing 17 dogs under the best of circumstances is a daunting task.

So, you might be thinking, “What can I do to help?”  Donations: donations of food, blankets, or money are always helpful and needed. Donations of time: do you have time to spend one day a week at J.D.’s place in Sandy Valley helping out? Fostering: do you have time and room in your home and heart to foster a dog until a forever home is found? Any and all of the former are in great need not only for J.D. but for all of the groups mentioned in this article.

It’s the start of a new year, a new year in which you can make a difference. You can be instrumental in creating a world where there are No More Homeless Pets.

If you would like to help J.D. please email info@allfurloveanimalsociety.org or call 702.362.5617. And if you would like to help any of the groups who have extended a helping hand to J.D. click on any of the links in this article to visit their website.

Posted June 17, 2010, 11:39AM by charbee

Please donate dog food for JD. This is ongoing, the food is always needed. I have arranged for food donations to be made by phone if you don’t want to drive over or are out of our area. Call At Your Service Pet Supplies and tell them it’s for JD. 702-982-4324 for locals, the location is: 55 S Valle Verde Ste 300, Henderson, NV 89012 If you have any questions, please email me at: charb@sprn.net thank you!